Multifunctional broom apparatus and related methods

ABSTRACT

An exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus comprising: a handle; and a body connected to the handle via a rotatable joint; the body comprising a bristle component on a first side and a cloth component on a second side, the bristle component comprising broom bristles and the cloth component configured to accept a cloth, the body rotatable with respect to the handle, between a first position and a second position, the first position placing the broom bristles in contact with a floor surface, and the second position placing the cloth in contact with the floor surface. One or more method embodiments comprise using the apparatus as a broom, with the body in the first position; rotating the body from the first position to the second position; and using the apparatus as a mop, with the body in the second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/769,873, filed Feb. 27, 2013, entitled “Multifunctional Broom Apparatus and Related Methods.” The entire contents of the above-referenced application are incorporated herein by reference.

INTRODUCTION

An exemplary apparatus embodiment comprises a broom apparatus having at least two sides, at least one side having an attached cloth for sweeping, dusting, etc.

A broom is generally used to sweep dust, dirt, debris, etc. For example, debris may be swept into a dustpan, and then disposed of. Regardless of how the broom is used, it is generally intended to move debris from one location to another, not pick up the debris. In contrast, a cloth (e.g., micro-fiber) may be used to pick up dust and other small particles (for example, what a broom may miss) and also may have some static properties to help with dust collection. Both broom and micro-fiber may be used on a variety of surfaces.

However, at present, in order to have the advantages of each, a user needs to have both a standard broom and a duster (e.g., micro-fiber dustmop). For apartment dwellers in particular, who place a premium on space, this is problematic.

An exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus comprising: (a) a handle; and (b) a body connected to the handle via a rotatable joint; the body comprising a bristle component on a first side and a cloth component on a second side, the bristle component comprising a plurality of broom bristles and the cloth component configured to accept one or more cloths, the body rotatable with respect to the handle, via a rotatable joint, between a first position and a second position, the first position placing the plurality of broom bristles in contact with a floor surface, and the second position placing the one or more cloths in contact with the floor surface.

In one or more exemplary embodiments: (1) the body comprises a pressure fitting for retaining the body in the first position; (2) the joint is a universal joint; (3) the cloth component comprises a hook-and-loop fastener surface for holding a cloth; (4) the cloth component is configured to retain a micro-fiber cloth; (5) the handle comprises a broom stopper slidable along a length of the handle and operable to support the apparatus adjacent to a flat surface; (6) the handle has an oval cross section; (7) the cloth component comprises a pad; (8) the plurality of bristles are flagged bristles; and (9) the plurality of bristles are unflagged bristles.

One or more method embodiments comprise: (a) using an apparatus aspect or embodiment as a broom; (b) using an apparatus aspect or embodiment as a mop; and (c) using an apparatus aspect or embodiment as a broom, with the body in the first position; rotating the body from the first position to the second position; and using the apparatus as a mop, with the body in the second position.

Further aspects, details, and embodiments will be apparent from the drawings and the description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-5 depict various views of exemplary embodiments in both broom (vertical body) and duster (horizontal body, with dusting surface on the floor) modes.

FIG. 6 depicts a detailed view of a swivel (i.e., universal joint) of an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a view of an exemplary apparatus embodiment in broom mode, showing the front (swivel side).

FIG. 8 depicts a view of an exemplary apparatus embodiment in broom mode, showing a side view in order to more clearly show a pad 810.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict views of an exemplary apparatus embodiment in broom mode, showing the back (pad side).

FIG. 11 depicts a view of an exemplary apparatus embodiment in broom mode, showing the front (swivel side) with certain internal details (screw locations, etc.).

FIGS. 12-14 and 16 depict certain exemplary details of one or more exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 15 depicts an exemplary embodiment comprising a broom stopper, and FIG. 17 depicts more detailed view of an exemplary broom stopper.

FIGS. 18 and 19 depict exemplary broom stopper usage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIG. 1, where a handle 110 is connected via a “universal joint” 140 to a broom body 130. Body 130 holds bristles 120 and, on the side opposite joint 140, holds a hook-and-loop fastener “dusting” surface for attaching a cleaning cloth 150. Joint 140 may be any suitable type of joint which allows the broom to have both a sweeping position (as depicted on the right side of FIG. 1) and a dusting position (as depicted on the left side of FIG. 1).

In various exemplary embodiments: (a) cleaning cloth 150 is a microfiber cloth; and (b) when the apparatus is used as a standard bristle broom, body 130 is held in a vertical position by a pressure fit connection to handle 110 (see esp. FIG. 6).

Referring to FIG. 6: a first pivot location 610 allows the handle to pivot in a first plane orthogonal to the main plane of the body, so that if the handle remains perpendicular to a floor surface, the body can move from also being perpendicular (i.e., in broom mode) to being parallel to the floor surface (i.e., in dusting mode). A second pivot location 620 allows the handle to pivot only when the apparatus not in broom mode (i.e., when the handle 110 is not affixed to the body 130 by the pressure fitting), and allows the handle to move in a second plane, orthogonal to the first plane, so that the swivel operates as a true universal joint.

The table below lists exemplary composition of certain exemplary components.

TABLE Component Material Bristles Nylon, polypropylene, tampico, horse hair Handle tube Tubular steel, aluminum, fiberglass, wood Swivel, Body, Plastic - for example, hard plastic, or Handle (at end of handle combination of hard plastic and elastomeric tube), Broom Stopper material (hard plastic with soft over-mold); aluminum; steel

As depicted in FIG. 12, an exemplary embodiment may use broom bristles 1210 of various colors (e.g., grey) which may or may not be flagged. Bristle block 1220 may be, for example, Pantone Q330-4-1 (Aqua Plastic) Mold Tech 11010. Microfiber pad 1230 may be color matched to the broom bristles.

As depicted in FIG. 13, an exemplary embodiment may use a universal joint and pins 1310, which may, for example, be Pantone Q330-4-1 (Aqua Plastic) Mold Tech 11010. Pole catch 1320 and bumper 1330 may, for example, be Pantone Q330-4-1 (Aqua TPE) Mold Tech 11010. Body cabinets 1340 may, for example, be Pantone Q520-6-3 (White Plastic) High Gloss.

As depicted in FIG. 14, an exemplary embodiment may use a handle overmold 1410, which may, for example, be Pantone Q330-4-1 (Aqua TPE) Mold Tech 11010. Handle substrates 1420 and 1430 may, for example, be Pantone Q520-6-3 (White Plastic) High Gloss.

As depicted in FIG. 15, an exemplary embodiment may use a broom stopper 1510, which may, for example, have the same color and composition (or combinations thereof) as one or more of the components described in FIGS. 12-14. FIG. 17 depicts a more detailed view of an exemplary broom stopper.

FIGS. 18 and 19 depict exemplary broom stopper usage. The broom stopper's function is to prevent the broom from falling over. The broom stopper can slide up or down on the pole anywhere from the bottom of the handle to the base of the pole. The user can slide it down to match the height of a table or counter. The grip on the base of the broom stopper helps stabilize the broom and prevent it from falling.

While certain exemplary aspects and embodiments have been described herein, many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, exemplary aspects and embodiments set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

For example, in order to reduce costs and/or ease manufacturing burdens, one may, without departing from the scope of the invention:

-   -   (a) Shorten the length of the pole     -   (b) Change the shape of the pole (perhaps making the pole an         extruded round tube instead of oval shaped).     -   (c) Remove the overmold in defined areas.     -   (d) Simplify the handle (e.g., make it all plastic or all TPE).     -   (e) Remove the Broom Stopper.     -   (f) Reduce packaging (e.g., reduce material and specific         elements).     -   (g) Make the pole collapsible for shipping (would allow product         to be sold in a box; would reduce likelihood of prevent damage         of a long pole during shipping).     -   (h) Reduce parts. 

We claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a handle; and a body connected to said handle via a rotatable joint; said body comprising a bristle component on a first side and a cloth component on a second side, said bristle component comprising a plurality of broom bristles and said cloth component configured to accept one or more cloths, said body rotatable with respect to said handle, via a rotatable joint, between a first position and a second position, said first position placing said plurality of broom bristles in contact with a floor surface, and said second position placing said one or more cloths in contact with said floor surface.
 2. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said body comprises a pressure fitting for retaining said body in said first position.
 3. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said joint is a universal joint.
 4. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said cloth component comprises a hook-and-loop fastener surface for holding a cloth.
 5. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said cloth component is configured to retain a micro-fiber cloth.
 6. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said handle comprises a broom stopper slidable along a length of said handle and operable to support said apparatus adjacent to a flat surface.
 7. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said handle has an oval cross section.
 8. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said cloth component comprises a pad.
 9. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of bristles are flagged bristles.
 10. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of bristles are unflagged bristles.
 11. A method comprising using the apparatus of claim 1 as a broom.
 12. A method comprising using the apparatus of claim 1 as a mop.
 13. A method comprising: using the apparatus of claim 1 as a broom, with said body in said first position; rotating said body from said first position to said second position; and using the apparatus of claim 1 as a mop, with said body in said second position. 